The 6th edition of the joint training exercise between the armies of India and Kazakhstan, known as “KAZIND-22,” is presently in progress at Umroi, Meghalaya. This significant military initiative seeks to foster positive military relations, exchange best practices, and promote joint operation capabilities, specifically in countering terrorist activities within semi-urban or jungle environments. Instituted in 2016 and later renamed in 2018, KAZIND showcases the strategic importance of Kazakhstan to India, not just in terms of military cooperation but also on an economic level.
About KAZIND-22
KAZIND-22 is a yearly joint military exercise involving the Indian and Kazakhstan armies. The exercise was initially named Exercise Prabal Dostyk upon inception in 2016. However, it underwent a name change in 2018, becoming known as Ex Kazind and being upgraded to a company-level exercise. Over the years, KAZIND has served as a platform for enhancing military relations and understanding between the two nations, enabling them to absorb each other’s best practices in the field.
The Aim of KAZIND
The fundamental objective of KAZIND is to strengthen positive military relations between India and Kazakhstan. It provides a platform where both forces can share best practices and enhance their ability to collaborate, particularly when dealing with counter-terrorist operations in a semi-urban or jungle scenario. As the 6th edition of this exercise, KAZIND-22 continues to play a vital role in fostering strong defence ties between the two nations.
Kazakhstan’s Strategic Importance to India
Geographically, Kazakhstan, the largest country in Central Asia and the ninth-largest globally, holds significant strategic importance. With Russia to its north, the Caspian Sea to its west, and China to its east, Kazakhstan’s geo-strategic location is of significant interest to India. However, this importance is not limited to military or defense matters alone; it extends to economic aspects as well.
Kazakhstan’s Economic Significance to India
Kazakhstan’s economic value to India is primarily tied to its natural resources. The country is the world’s biggest producer of Uranium, a critical resource for nuclear energy production. As such, Kazakhstan presents considerable potential as a source of energy for India. Moreover, the two nations actively cooperate under various multilateral forums, including the Confidence-Building Measures in Asia (CICA), Shanghai Cooperation Operation (SCO), and United Nations (UN) organizations.
The ongoing KAZIND-22 joint military exercise underscores the multifaceted relationship between India and Kazakhstan. It serves as a catalyst for further cooperation and understanding, not just at the military level but also in terms of economic potential and strategic alliance. As such, it is monitored with interest by observers of international relations and defense.
